Today, we review the ThieAudio Oracle MkIII Tribrid IEM. It is selling for $589 USD.
Disclaimer: ThieAudio Oracle MkIII was provided by Linsoul. As always, this review will reflect my unbiased perspective.
ThieAudio
Launched in 2019, ThieAudio specializes in the research and development of audiophile in-ear monitors and headphones. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to serve as a creative platform, bringing together top engineering teams to oversee the design and manufacture of high-performance audiophile products.
ThieAudio has quickly established a strong presence in the industry, offering products across a wide range of price points. We’ve covered many ThieAudio products in the past and have been particularly impressed with their performance for the asking price. You can explore our other ThieAudio reviews here.
Today, we focus on the Oracle MkIII, the third iteration in ThieAudio’s Oracle line. Positioned as a mid-tier IEM alongside the HYPE series, the Oracle MkIII is available for $589 USD through Linsoul.com and ThieAudio’s official website.
ThieAudio Oracle MkIII – Six Driver Tribrid In-Ear Monitors
Thieaudio’s Oracle MkIII features a tribrid configuration with electrostatic drivers, balanced armatures, and dynamic drivers, similar to its predecessors, the Oracle MkI and MkII. While I haven’t tried the MkI, I I reviewed the Oracle MKII. The MkII had a 1DD+2BA+2EST setup, but this time, the new version increases the dynamic driver count to two due to the implementation of ThieAudio’s in-house IMPACT² technology. The “Impact Squared” technology employs two 10mm dynamic drivers in a custom isobaric chamber to handle sub-bass frequencies effectively, a design feature also found in other Hype models and the Monarch MKIII.
The Oracle series represents ThieAudio’s interpretation of budget tribrid studio monitors, designed to deliver a signature suitable for studio or artist environments with solid technical capabilities at a reasonable price. Since the launch of the MkI and MkII, ThieAudio has introduced several technological innovations with the Hype series that they are excited to implement in the Oracle series. By listening to feedback from both audiophiles and professionals, they seem to have found a middle-ground signature that will keep both parties happy. ThieAudio claims the MkIII retains the original Oracle DNA as a capable studio monitor, with bass elevation restricted to the sub-bass shelf to provide instrument body for drummers and bass guitarists while keeping the mids flat and neutral thie-style. Also, the treble has been modified to be smoother than its Oracle MkII predecessor. They also state that upgrading the 3-way crossover to a more complex 4-way crossover system allowed them to utilize the drivers to reach their maximum potential.
Let’s see what’s changed and how it performs in the mid-fi segment of the audio sphere. Here are the specs & highlights below.
Specs & Highlights
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA+2EST + 4-way Crossover
Socket: 2-Pin, 0.78mm
Housing: Resin Body, Metal Nozzle, Artisan Faceplate, x3 Sound-Bores
Cable: 1.2m, 4-Strand Twist-style Litz Cable with 2.5/3.5/4.4mm Interchangeable Connectors
Impedance: 13Ω
Sensitivity: 99dB (±1dB) @1kHz
Packaging & Accessories
We are all accustomed to ThieAudio’s packaging style at this point I believe. They have been pretty consistent with their accessories, too. The Oracle MkIII features custom artwork on its faceplates, and the design is also displayed on the packaging’s outer cover, along with large font text underlining the 2024 updated design with its 2DD+2BA+2EST configuration.
The fully foam-padded box is divided into two compartments. The earphones are housed in a foam compartment, and there’s a large, fabric-lined hard carrying case right next to them, a standard across ThieAudio line-ups. However, I noticed that the grey hue of the carrying case is a lot darker this time.
My unit came with three pairs of foam ear tips and three pairs of pure white silicone ear tips, along with a modular cable that can be interchanged with three different plugs. The package includes 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 2.5mm gold-plated plugs. This cable shares its aesthetics with those previously paired with the Oracle MkII, Monarch MkIII, and the Prestige LTD, featuring a twist-style 4-braid, litz structure. Thieaudio does not give any alloy specs on the provided cable this time, but based on the aesthetics, it is highly likely to use the same silver-plated occ wires.
The interchangeable modular system, similar to the 4-pin mini XLR, feels durable from the very first second. The textured connectors of the removable plugs and main plug chassis ensure a secure grip while switching the plugs, preventing mistakes. A small notch on the connector’s inner side aids users in aligning the correct pins, eliminating the need for manual orientation and angle adjustments. The cable’s build quality is impressive, though I wonder if a different color, perhaps a dark indigo, might complement the beautiful faceplates even better.
Design, Fit & Build Quality
The Oracle MkIII’s standard faceplate features shades of dark blue with a wood-like texture scattered around. Chrome lines and green flakes add to the artsy design, making it unique and visually appealing. The blend of different shades of blue with the yellowish textured wood is mesmerizingly aesthetic.
The shells are crafted from high-quality, medical-grade acrylic resin. The opaque body prevents any light passage, and the semi-custom design provides an excellent custom-like fit for me. I paired it with Divinus Wide aftermarket ear tips, achieving around 35 dB of passive isolation, which rendered my PC fans completely silent. For comparison, my U4s only block about 20 dB of noise, and I can hear my PC fans while wearing it. These IEMs have fantastic passive isolation, more so than the competition, with the right tips.
As for the fit, the support for the concha area features a more rounded ridge this time, and the bass vent, with a metal mesh, is located at the bottom side facing forward, similar to other ThieAudio models with the Impact² driver array. I’ve never had a Thieaudio monitor that I didn’t like the fit, so I am not the perfect person to ask about comfort. My ears and canals are pretty large, so the semi-custom shell fits my ears perfectly well. I even prefer it to some of my CIEMs. Honestly, it’s like a bespoke shell for me. However, ThieAudio’s monitors are not particularly small; the shell size is comparable to the Hype 4 and Hype 10, which can be labeled as “ML.” As for you to compare better, the “L” would mean something like the Oriolus Monachaa, and the “M” would be something like the Mega5EST. Drop a comment below if you have particularly small ears, and we can help you make more accurate blind shots.
The review continues on the next page. Click here or use the jump below.
Page 1: ThieAudio, Oracle MkIII, Packaging & Accessories, Build, Design & Fit
Page 2: Sound, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparisons, Last Words
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